Kew Blanc de Blancs 2017 and Blanc de Noirs 2020 (Niagara) - Wine Reviews

After enjoying the excellent 2020 Kew Vineyards Marsanne a few months ago (and still widely available in stores today), tonight's sparkling wine reviews a pair of wonderful bubblies from the same producer in Niagara that arrived at the LCBO as part of the feature story on Bubbles in the December 14 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Both of these fantastic bubblies are produced by Kew Vineyards, a boutique estate winery situated on the limestone-rich soils of the Beamsville Bench, in the heart of Niagara wine country. Kew Vineyards is situated on a 160-year-old estate, in a homestead built by William Kew that was used by the family to successfully produce carriages.

Once the Kew family's chapter ended, a new chapter began in 1975, when Mr. Hermann Weis brought his own clones from the Mosel Valley in Germany and planted some of Niagara's first Riesling vines on the estate at Kew Vineyards. Unknowingly, Mr. Weis became a true pioneer of Ontario's wine region, even while he was relentlessly met with skepticism as the community said he could never do it. Most of Niagara's Rieslings today are based on the Weis Clone.

Today, Kew Vineyards is a hidden gem of Niagara's wine country history. It is owned by Arterra Wines Canada, who acquired the historical property and its 80+ acres of vineyards in 2023. The vineyards are situated on sloping land and well-drained soils, with ideal growing temperatures.

The focus at Kew Vineyards is on small-batch winemaking, with the belief that wine is the ultimate expression of passion - passion for the art of wine making, passion for the land, and passion for the way in which it celebrates daily life. The winemaking team is led by veteran Australian winemaker Philip Dowell, who has focused his life's work on cool-climate wines. The philosophy at Kew is to allow the vineyard to tell its story of each harvest, while also expressing the terroir in order to produce world-class wines that are uniquely Niagara.

The sparkling wines reviewed below are both mono-varietal and vintage sparkling wines. The 2017 Blanc de Blancs is crafted using 100% Chardonnay, while the 2020 Blanc de Noirs was produced using 100% Pinot Noir. The 2017 growing season in Ontario was generally cool with wet weather. At the beginning of September, extended heat and sunshine resulted in one of the nicest autumn seasons on record, as well as a later harvest. Grape quantities were high with a record harvest, while the quality was excellent for white wine varieties. The growing season in 2020 provided near perfect conditions that coaxed the best out of a wide spectrum of grapes from whites to big red Bordeaux varieties, and everything in between, including Pinot Noir. The 2020 vintage produced grapes which reached phenolic ripeness, while also maintaining acidity to allow for balanced wines. Let's see how these two vintage sparkling wines from Niagara are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

KEW BLANC DE BLANCS 2017 - Traditional method, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#438994) (D) - $32.95 $28.70
100% Chardonnay that was barrel aged for 5 months prior to bottling for secondary fermentation, and then aged on its lees for 5 years. Fresh, elegant, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose offers lovely toasty, brioche, and autolytic characters mingling with lemon citrus, stone fruit, and white peach aromas, plus whiffs of pastry and honey adding further complexity and intrigue. It's light-to-mid weighted and essentially dry on the palate with delicious citrusy, ripe apple, toasty, and brioche flavours with touches of autolytic notes and a twist of honey. It has crisp acidity and lively bubbles that freshen the juicy and slightly creamy palate. Subtly spicy with apple, toasty, and brioche flavours that are joined by leesy minerals on the long, crisp finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

KEW BLANC DE NOIRS 2020 - Traditional method, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#380030) (D) - $32.95 $28.70
100% Pinot Noir that was gently whole-berry pressed and fermented in stainless steel, followed by ageing on its lees for 2 years. The medium+ intensity nose offers apple, pear, red cherry, and lemon citrus aromas with touches of biscuit and toast. Some autolytic and honeyed aromas develop with time in the glass. The vibrant, medium-bodied palate is dry with delicious toasty, apple, pear, and lemon citrus flavours with hints of honey, biscuit, and mineral. It has fresh, vibrant acidity and crisp, refreshing mousse, along with a textured and slightly grippy mid-palate. Apple, lemon citrus, and mineral notes linger on the long, crisp, and dry finish. Recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

Other fine wines by Kew Vineyards can be found at the LCBO, while the full range can be purchased directly from the winery in Beamsville (Niagara), or through their Agent - Arterra Wines Canada.

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Kew Vineyards Marsanne 2020 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is an excellent Marsanne from the Beamsville Bench appellation in Niagara that arrived at the LCBO earlier this month as part of the feature on Ontario Wines in the September 7th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Kew Vineyards, a boutique winery focused on small-batch production that is located in the heart of Niagara on the Beamsville Bench, an area known for its limestone-rich soils. Situated on a 160-year-old estate, Kew Vineyards epitomizes country style and grace. The winery stands in the Kew homestead, a house which was built by William Kew. The Kew family lived in the home and operated a successful carriage making company from the house. Historically, the Kew homestead was known for mixing business with pleasure, and where the Kew family's chapter ends is when the story of Kew Vineyards begins.

In 1975, Mr. Hermann Weis brought his own clones from the Mosel Valley in Germany and planted some of Niagara's first Riesling vines on the estate at Kew Vineyards. Unknowingly, Mr. Weis became a true pioneer of Ontario's wine region, even while he was relentlessly met with skepticism as the community said he could never do it. Today, most of Niagara's Rieslings are based on the Weis Clone.

Kew Vineyards' prides itself on its unique vineyard, which includes some of Ontario's oldest vines, along with a few varietals that are rare for the region. The Marsanne vines at Kew Vineyards are special, unique, and continue to thrive in the cool-climate of Niagara and the challenges it presents. This white wine is one of the few, and perhaps only, Marsanne from Niagara, and almost always contains small amounts of other varieties. For the 2020 vintage, this is a blend of 95.2% Marsanne, 2.4% Viognier, and 2.4% Pinot Gris. To craft this wine, it was fermented for 10 months in larger French oak.

The 2020 growing season in Niagara delivered near-perfect conditions which benefited a wide spectrum of grape varieties. The growing season got off to a slow start, while the summer was hot and dry, resulting in clean and intense fruit. The grapes exhibited brightness, character, acidity, and energy due to cool weather early in the season, but they also displayed the depth of a warm vintage. Overall, it is a great vintage with many great wines across the board. Let's see how this 2020 Marsanne from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

KEW VINEYARDS MARSANNE 2020 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#485334) (XD) - $19.95
Enclosed by Stelvin screw cap, this is mainly Marsanne with a splash of (2.4%) Viognier and (2.4%) Pinot Gris. Fragrant, open, and slightly perfumed, the medium-high intensity nose offers lovely and complex lemon citrus, ripe apple, herbs, and stony-leesy mineral aromas with touches of white floral. It is impressively weighted on the well-structured, medium+ bodied, textured, and dry palate with touches of vanilla oak and spice notes joining the lemon citrus, ripe apple, stony-leesy mineral flavours. It's very nicely balanced throughout with crisp, refreshing acidity, while the length is excellent with persistent leesy-stony mineral notes lingering on the savoury, long, and crisp finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

Limited quantities of other fine wines by Kew Vineyards are available at the LCBO, while the entire portfolio can be purchased directly from winery online or by visiting them in Beamsville, Ontario, or through their Agent - Arterra Wines Canada.

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September 7, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Ontario

Here's my top wine picks from the September 7, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. As is always the case, the first release of September features the fabulous wines from Ontario. It is a very good release with just over 100 wines, and all are readily available across the province.

We begin with the theme on wines from Ontario. Of the sixteen wines featured as part of the theme titled "Bring Home Ontario", there are five wines included among my top wine picks from Ontario, with a few others that I opted not to put on the list below because I had recommended them previously when they came through VINTAGES some months ago. White wines from Ontario continue to be a strong and consistent point, with a Chardonnay and off-dry Riesling that are both from the Niagara Escarpment. There's also a fine Marsanne - one of the few and possibly the only in Ontario - which is actually a blend of 95.2% Marsanne, 2.4% Viognier, and 2.4% Pinot Gris. The only Ontario red among my picks below is a Cabernet Franc, while the lone bubbly recommendation is a dry, traditional method sparkling wine crafted with Gamay!

My red wine recommendations from the main release are mostly blends, starting with the flagship Archimedes, which is 93.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4.4% Malbec, 1.6% Petit Verdot, and 0.2% other varieties. Lovers of Grenache-Syrah blends have a few options in this release, beginning with the Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which is 65% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 5% Cinsault, 5% Mourvèdre, and 5% Counoise, the Vinsobres that is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre, and the Roussillon red that is made with Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan. Also from France, the Madiran is a blend of 65% Tannat and 35% Cabernet Franc. The other two blends are a Super Tuscan that is composed of 42% Cabernet Franc, 25% Merlot, 15.5% Syrah, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 4.5% Sangiovese, and 1% Alicante, while the Portuguese red consists of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, and Tinta Barroca. Among the single varietal reds, the Brunello is made with Sangiovese, the Rioja is a Tempranillo, and the Barolo is, of course, made with Nebbiolo.

Among my white wine picks, all are mono-varietal wines and starts with a lovely Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. Some varietals are a bit rare to find in our market, including a Picpoul from the Southwest of France, a Ribolla Gialla from Friuli, and a higher-end Muscadet, which is made with the Melon varietal. For Chardonnay wine lovers, there are nice wines from both Western Australia and Argentina. Lastly, if you enjoy some sweetness in your wine, try the Pinot Gris from New Zealand.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• TOM DE BATON DOS HEREDIAS 2021 - Tabuaço, DOC Douro, Portugal (#363168) (XD) - $17.95  88+ pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU PEYROS HÉRITAGE TANNAT / CABERNET FRANC 2020 - Sustainable, AC Madiran, France (#208249) (XD) - $17.95
• DOMAINE AUTRAND VINSOBRES 2022 - AC, Rhône, France (#15451) (XD) - $18.95
• IL POGGIO SANNIO AGLIANICO 2019 - DOP, Campania, Italy (#575225) (XD) - $18.95  90 pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU SAINT-ROCH CHIMÈRES GRENACHE / CARIGNAN / SYRAH 2021 - AP Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, Midi, France (#119354) (XD) - $19.95
• CAVE SPRING ESTATE GROWN CAVE SPRING VINEYARD CABERNET FRANC 2022 - Sustainable, Unfiltered, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#523001) (XD) - $20.95

 

• PALACIO GLORIOSO RESERVA 2018 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#930164) (XD) - $23.95
• EL ENEMIGO EL MIRADOR SINGLE VINEYARD BONARDA 2020 - Mendoza, Argentina (#15120) (XD) - $27.95  92 pts  wine review
  
• CAIAROSSA 2016 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#533117) (XD) - $48.95
• ELLENA GIUSEPPE ASCHERI BAROLO 2019 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#36670) (XD) - $53.95
• DOMAINE DE LA SOLITUDE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2022 - AC, Rhône, France (#560987) (XD) - $54.95
• FATTORIA DEI BARBI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#372938) (XD) - $69.95  93 pts  wine review
• ARCHIMEDES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Sustainable, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA (#431825) (XD) - $99.95  94 pts  wine review

White Wine:

• ORMARINE CARTE NOIRE PICPOUL DE PINET 2023 - AP, Southwest, France (#38396) (XD) - $14.95  89 pts  wine review
• INVIVO PINOT GRIS 2023 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#367771) (D) - $19.95
• CATENA APPELLATION TUPUNGATO CHARDONNAY 2022 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#10964) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• KEW VINEYARDS MARSANNE 2020 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#485334) (XD) - $19.95  91+ pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU DE CHASSELOIR MUSCADET DE SÈVRE ET MAINE 2020 - Sur lie, AP, Loire, France (#35904) (XD) - $21.95
• OMRAH CROSSING CHARDONNAY 2023 - Great Southern, Western Australia (#17644) (XD) - $21.95  90+ pts  wine review
• URLAR SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - Gladstone, North Island, New Zealand (#22852) (XD) - $22.95
• GRADIS'CUITTA RIBOLLA GIALLA 2021 - DOC Collio, Friuli, Italy (#36849) (XD) - $23.95
• HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE ORGANIC RIESLING 2020 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#183491) (M) - $24.95
• LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE CHARDONNAY 2021 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#20455) (XD) - $30.00  90+ pts  wine review

Sparkling Wine:

• 13TH STREET GAMAY BLANC DE NOIR SPARKLING 2021 - Sustainable, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#39728) (XD) - $34.95  91 pts  wine review

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Free Sushi Electric Blue Raspberry (Canada) - Review

With the news that Ready-To-Drink (RTD) beverages are now available at grocery stores across Ontario, tonight's RTD review is something I've had in my possession for some time now and never got around to opening. While it is long sold-out at the LCBO, this RTD may be coming to shelves at your local grocery store in the near future.

Free sushi was created by the founders with one goal in mind - to give back to the oceans. The founders love to snorkel and noticed the impact that pollution has had on ocean wildlife and dedicated free sushi to reduce its environmental impact. To help reduce its impact, free sushi is produced locally in Ontario, which reduces the environmental impact of shipping, while also promoting local jobs. Furthermore, a minimum of 5% of free sushi proceeds are donated to ocean charities, which help preserve clean oceans and their wildlife, and is a more direct way to give back to the oceans that they love to explore.

With free sushi, gone are the times of flavourless vodka water. According to the founders, each can of free sushi has the perfect balance of sweet and sour flavours that leave you wanting more. There are two flavours which are reminiscent of popular candy you enjoyed while growing up to give you a nostalgic feeling. Electric Blue Raspberry is the original, while Sour Watermelon is coming soon, and both are crafted with low carbonation for an elevated drinking experience. Let's see how this free sushi Electric Blue Raspberry ready-to-drink cocktail is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

FREE SUSHI ELECTRIC BLUE RASPBERRY - Canada (#31307) - $2.95
Pretty, electric blue colour. Reminds me of blue freezies on the nose. On the refreshing, carbonated palate, this delicious Vodka-based cocktail has slightly sweet blueberry, raspberry, and citrus flavours, along with a weighty and very crisp mouthfeel. It's gently tart on the mid-palate, while the finish is quite savoury and stony, with good length.

While free sushi products aren't currently available at the LCBO, they may be available at grocery stores or through their Agent - Dionysus Wines & Spirits.

p.s. And no, free sushi does not contain any fish. :)

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Trius Showcase Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2020 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is an excellent, single vineyard Chardonnay from Niagara that was featured in the piece on Local Talent in the recent July 6 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. It will be available at the LCBO once the strike ends, but can be ordered directly today from the winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake or via The Wine Shop.

It is produced by Trius Winery, a Canadian wine industry game changer that was established by Hillebrand Estates in 1979. Initially, the Trius brand at Hillebrand only consisted of one wine - the Trius Red - a wine that received international acclaim after it was recognized as the Best Red Wine in the World in 1991. This recognition marked an important step in the Canadian wine industry as it meant that Canadian wines could stand on their own against wines from other top wine-producing regions.

While the Trius Red continues to be recognized as one of Canada's most iconic wines, the portfolio has grown to include several other ranges and many top wines, including sparkling wines, white wines, and Icewine. In 2007, Hillebrand was acquired by Andrew Peller Limited, and in 2012, the Hillebrand Winery property was renovated and born as Trius Winery to become one of Niagara-on-the-Lake's top wine destinations.

With renowned Winemaker Craig MacDonald leading the winemaking team, Trius has evolved to become a world-class winery with roots, while also noting that the heart and soul of all Trius wines come from the one-of-a-kind vineyards where they grow their grapes. Major factors that lead to high-quality grapes include the sun-soaked shale that the vines sink their roots into, as well as convection currents from Lake Ontario that cool down the hot, summer nights. At Trius, they celebrate the connection between the land and their wines, and it is at the heart of everything in creating iconic Canadian wines for everyone to enjoy.

This particular white wine is from Trius' Showcase range of wines which are crafted using the best hand-selected fruit from the best vineyards, and often from a single vineyard and a single barrel. Showcase wines showcase the character of the soil and the distinct personality of the individual vineyard. These collectible, age-worthy wines are crafted in an unrushed approach with innovative winemaking techniques in very limited quantities, which show Trius' exemplary passion for making great wines that is on full display in every Trius Showcase bottle of wine.

This beautiful white wine is crafted with 100% Chardonnay that was grown in the Watching Tree Vineyard situated in the VQA Lincoln Lakeshore sub-appellation of Niagara. Lincoln Lakeshore has long, gentle slopes which are highly influenced by Lake Ontario, a long temperate growing season, and numerous seasonal streams. The lake effect makes Lincoln Lakeshore ideal for growing white wine varieties that can fully mature on the vine over a long period, producing wines with great intensity, complexity, structure, and elegance. The Watching Tree Vineyard is named after the lone tree that stands tall alongside the vineyard, like a protector watching over the vines. This vineyard was once an ancient riverbed and was planted in 1989 with clone 95 and 96 Chardonnay vines on stony, pebbly soil. To craft this Chardonnay, the grapes were hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed. The juice was cold settled in tank, then sent directly to barrel for wild yeast fermentation. The wine was aged "sur lie" for 10 months in 225L French oak barriques, 20% new.

The 2020 growing season delivered near-perfect growing conditions, one of the best ever by all accounts, with white wine varieties having surprisingly great acidity. From this exceptional vintage, let's see how this 2020 Chardonnay from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TRIUS SHOWCASE WILD FERMENT CHARDONNAY 2020 - VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#199273) (XD) - $38.00
Lovely, perfumed, and highly aromatic nose of ripe apple, lemon citrus, tropical fruit, smoky oak, and buttery aromas with touches of spice, coffee, roasted nuts, and flinty mineral adding further complexity. On the dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate it is gently spicy with lemon citrus, ripe apple, toasty oak spice, butter, and nutty oak flavours. It's supported by crisp and juicy acidity, along with lovely textured mouthfeel on the mid-palate. Refined and elegant with flinty mineral and toasty notes lingering on the dry finish, with excellent length. Highly recommended buy! Score: 92+ pts

Other lovely wines by Trius Winery can be purchased directly from the winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, at The Wine Shop locations across Ontario, or LCBO outlets once they re-open.

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Kacaba Reserve Riesling 2017 (Niagara) - Wine Review

To celebrate Mother's Day, tonight's white wine review is a lovely Niagara Riesling that I purchased at the winery while visiting Niagara during the Icewine Festival back in January 2020. Of course, this vintage has long sold out, while newer vintages are currently available for purchase from the winery.

Tasting Note:

KACABA RESERVE RIESLING 2017 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (D) - $17.95
Screw cap. Lovely, fragrant, medium-high intensity nose of petrol, lemon oil citrus, waxy, white peach, and orchard fruit complexity. It's miedium+ bodied, off-dry and with delicious petrol, lemon/lime citrus, white peach, and green apple flavours with a kiss of sweetness surrounding a core of savoury, stony mineral. It has very good, lively and juicy acidity, along with a nicely chalky textured mid-palate. Leesy, limestone mineral notes linger on the long, dry-ish, crisp, and well-structured finish. Should continue to drink well over the next 3-4 years, and probably longer. Score: 90+ pts

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The Tragically Hip Fully Completely Reserve Red 2021 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a fully and completely delicious Bordeaux-varietal red blend from Niagara that returned to the LCBO last month in the April 27 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Stoney Ridge Estate Winery, a producer that was established in December 1986 as Stoney Ridge Cellars and was the 14th licensed winery in Canada. The name of the winery comes from its inauspicious beginnings at the Weylie farm on Ridge Road in Stoney Creek. Stoney Ridge's legacy is that it is one of Canada's fledgling wineries that helped usher in the national wine industry and its rise to world-class wine production.

With a pioneering spirit, Winemaker Jim Warren and his two business partners produced their first vintage of 500 cases of 11 different wines entirely by hand and were committed to making small amounts of the very best wine possible from Ontario grapes.

Over the next few decades, Stoney Ridge grew and expanded, and moved to its new home at the base of the Niagara Escarpment in Vineland. In 2013, Stoney Ridge was purchased by famed Canadian sports broadcaster Bob McCown and continued to evolve, eventually launching the popular Tragically Hip line of wines in partnership with the iconic Canadian rock music band - The Tragically Hip.

Today, Stoney Ridge operates in partnership with the Niagara Custom Crush Studio, Canada's only Custom Crush Winemaking Facility. Still located at the newly renovated facility in Vineland, the Studio has taken over the production of all of Stoney Ridge's wines, including the celebrity wines. Stoney Ridge remains committed to producing 100% locally-sourced, VQA wines, just as it did in 1986.

Stoney Ridge has a few lines of wines, including celebrity wines. This particular wine is from their Tragically Hip range, which consists of 4 premium wines - a rosé, a white wine, and a pair of red wines. Named after their hit album and song - Fully Completely - this red wine is composed of 54% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc, and 22% Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes were grown at select vineyards across the Niagara Peninsula and mechanically harvested in late-October. The fruit arrived clean at Stoney Ridge with good flavour concentration and aromatics, with an average Brix (sugar content) of 21.5°. Upon arriving at the winery, the grapes were crushed and fermented in stainless steel tanks and one tonne fermenter bins, with each lot kept separate. After completing both alcoholic and malolactic fermentation, the wine was racked into new and seasoned French and American oak barrels for 18 months prior to blending.

The growing season in 2021 was impacted by chilly conditions, as well as a drastically wet fall during harvest. It is a vintage where picking decisions will play an important role and also tests the winemakers' skills in both the vineyard and the winery. Let's see how this 2021 Bordeaux-blend from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

THE TRAGICALLY HIP FULLY COMPLETELY RESERVE RED 2021 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#411595) (XD) - $24.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this blend of 54% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc, and 22% Cabernet Sauvignon has a medium-high intensity nose that offers enticing aromas of brambly red and dark berries, black raspberry, black cherry, and white pepper spice, plus hints of tea leaf, underbrush, and cedar wood adding further intrigue and complexity. On the dry, medium+ bodied palate, it has delicious ripe and spicy red and black berries, dark red cherry, blackberry, and red plum flavours accented with white pepper spice, tea leaf, and underbrush notes. It has juicy, well-balanced acidity, along with smooth, refined, and well-integrated tannins. Savoury and gently spicy with touches of smoke linger on the long-lasting finish. Enjoy this highly recommended with your favourite Hip song over the next 3-4 years. Score: 90+ pts

All Tragically Hip wines are currently available at the LCBO, as well as direct from the Stoney Ridge in Niagara, and through their Agent - Perigon Beverage Group.

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Cuvée 2024 - Tickets selling fast for Ontario’s biggest VQA celebration

It’s a tasting experience no wine enthusiast should miss.

Featuring more than 100 wines, each carefully curated as the favourites of Ontario’s top winemakers, the 2024 Cuvée Grand Tasting promises an experience like no other as it takes over the Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Centre in St. Catharines on Saturday, March 30.

Organized by Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI), the event is the largest celebration of VQA wine of its kind, highlighting Ontario’s wine industry — an important economic driver for the province.

The Cuvée Grand Tasting, which starts at 7 p.m., will showcase nearly 40 Ontario VQA wineries alongside 10 chefs preparing perfectly paired cuisine at live cooking stations.

“We couldn’t be more excited for this event’s return,” said Cuvée Manager Barb Tatarnic. “The Grand Tasting is more than an opportunity to try an unmatched selection of Ontario’s top wines. It’s also a chance to hear directly from talented winemakers from across the province, all while supporting the next generation of industry professionals.”

Proceeds from the event support the Cuvée Legacy Fund, which was established to fund industry-driven research initiatives and scholarships for students. More than $122,000 has been generated to invest in the future of the industry through students and research since CCOVI took the lead in organizing the event in 2015.

In addition to the gourmet sensory experience, the Grand Tasting will recognize champions in the province’s grape and wine industry with the Cuvée Vineyard of Excellence and Winemaker of Excellence awards along with the Tony Aspler Award of Excellence.

Following the Grand Tasting, the night erupts with the largest industry party of its kind: the exclusive Après Cuvée. Grand Tasting attendees and winemakers alike will hit the dance floor as Niagara’s own Jonesy brings live music to the stage. A selection of carefully curated regional Icewines, sparkling wines and craft beer will be available for guests to enjoy.

For those looking to expand their Cuvée experience, the Cuvée en Route passport program kicks off the long weekend celebrations on Friday, March 29, running until Sunday, March 31 at more than 20 participating wineries across Niagara. A complete list of participating wineries at the Grand Tasting and en Route can be found at cuvee.ca.

While en Route passport tickets can be purchased separately, a Grand Tasting ticket will provide guests access to the en Route passport, more than 100 wines at the Grand Tasting event and the Après Cuvée party. Grand Tasting tickets are available online at cuvee.ca/tickets for $245 per person. Use Discount Code SHOWOFEXCEL for 20% off. Tickets for the en Route passport only are $50.

Will I see you there?

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Kacaba Cabernet/Syrah 2020 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Cabernet Franc and Syrah blend that was locally and sustainably grown and crafted in Niagara and arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent March 2nd LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Like the 2019 Kacaba Cabernet Franc that I enjoyed last year, this red wine is also produced by Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, a premium, small-batch winery located on prime, winegrowing land on the Niagara Escarpment in Vineland, Ontario. The history of the winery begins in 1997 after the land was purchased by Michael Kacaba, a Bay St. lawyer in Toronto of Ukrainian descent and a Saskatchewan background. Although the land was slated for a subdivision, Mr. Kacaba had other visions and began the work to establish a vineyard and winery. Only two years later, in 1999, Kacaba had their first vintage and consistent success followed thereafter.

The choice of establishing the vineyard and winery on the Niagara Escarpment - the slope leading to the lake bed of the prehistoric lake that covered southern Ontario - has greatly contributed to Kacaba's success. This unique geographical area sets up a circulating air flow whereby cold air naturally moves down the Escarpment and over Lake Ontario, where it warms, rises, and returns to heat the Escarpment. This process helps extend the frost-free season through spring and fall, thereby extending the growing season, which allows grapes such as Syrah and Bordeaux varieties, such as Cabernet Franc, to develop phenolic maturity.

Today, while no longer owned by Michael Kacaba, the wines of Kacaba Vineyards & Winery are produced using only the finest grapes on the estate or from partner growers in surrounding vineyards. The philosophy at Kacaba is dependent on producing small quantities of wines by limiting the quantities they can handle such that they are able to manage all aspects of the winemaking process mainly by hand. By focusing on small-batch winemaking, Kacaba is able to produce wines of merit that are deep in colour, rich in aromas and character. Kacaba also strives to encourage sustainable agriculture on their land, as well as their partner growers.

This red wine is a blend of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Syrah, and due to the stellar growing season in the Niagara region, the Cabernet Franc was harvested in early November, while the Syrah was harvested in mid-October. Each varietal was picked separately at slightly different times and kept separate throughout the vinification process. The grapes were gently destemmed and fermented in stainless steel containers. After pressing, the wines were aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels for 17 months. In the spring of 2022, Winemaker Vadim Chelekhov tasted the various barrels of wine and selected the unique tasting casks that showed elegant tannins and overall balance. The chosen barrels were then blended, filtered, and bottled on May 17, 2022.

The 2020 growing season started off warmer than average and was mostly dry with only a few snow storms in January and February. The warm trend continued into March, but then slowed in April, which included a cold snap in the latter part of the month, and kept the vines dormant. The great growing season took off once spring arrived in May, followed by a dry and warm summer, which was followed by a cool, dry, and long fall season. With extensive crop thinning, leaf pulling, and constant vineyard monitoring, the Cabernet Franc grapes hung on to the vines into October and early November. From a vintage that has been deemed the vintage of the century in Niagara, let's see how this 2020 Cabernet Franc - Syrah blend from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

KACABA CABERNET / SYRAH 2020 - Sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#26424) (XD) - $24.95
A blend of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Syrah, this has a rich, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose that offers pleasing, ripe red & black fruit, currant, raspberry, oak spice, chocolate, and savoury earth aromas, plus hints of plum, meaty, and mineral notes. It's medium-bodied on the dry palate with delicious, tangy red & black fruits, currant, raspberry, savoury earth flavours, plus subtle oak spice, black pepper, and meaty notes add further character. It has fresh, lemony acidity, while the smooth, supple, and refined tannins are well-managed. There's a touch of chalky grip on the back palate. Tangy with savoury earth and mineral notes linger on the long, fresh finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 5+ years. Score: 90 pts

Some of the fine wines by Kacaba Vineyards are available at the LCBO, while the full range is available direct from winery in Niagara.

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Chilled to Perfection: Inniskillin Icewine Harvest and Brunch (Jan. 2024)

Earlier this month I had the pleasure of attending an exclusive media preview of the Chilled to Perfection: Inniskillin Icewine Harvest and Brunch event that is taking place on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at Inniskillin Estate winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

The event begins with a welcoming cup of Icewine Hot Chocolate, followed by an opportunity to mingle and get warmed up before heading outdoors. Up next on the itinerary, we were joined by Inniskillin's Winemaker, Nicholas Gizuk, and he took us through an Icewine Harvest in the vineyard.

We headed out to the vineyard to inspect and cut bunches of Vidal grapes for the production of Icewine. It was very interesting to see the grapes still on the vines, many of which were turning brown - a sign that the grapes are freezing, sugars concentrating, and just about ready for picking. Keep in mind that according to VQA Ontario standards, grapes for Icewine production must be picked at temperatures no warmer than -8º Celsius. Within the bunches we noticed that some of the Vidal grapes were still green. We also got the opportunity to taste the green grapes and compare them with their brown counterparts, with Nicholas explaining some of the various changes occurring within the grapes, as well as some of the flavour differences we could expect to taste between the green and brown grapes. You will also get the opportunity to experience this when you attend on the 27th.

After finishing the harvest portion of the experience and walking among the vineyards, we headed inside with Nicholas for a guided tour of the facility as he explained the process for producing Icewine from selecting and pressing the frozen grapes to fermentation, maturation, and finally bottling. At the end of the tour, we got to taste some 2022 Vidal Icewine Juice, a 2022 Inniskillin Vidal Icewine (93 pts, $50), and the 2019 Inniskillin Vidal Icewine (93+ pts). It was a cool experience to taste Icewine Juice prior to it becoming the finished product. It was also very nice to compare the 2022 and 2019 vintage Icewines side-by-side, with the 2022 offering a fresher profile, while the 2019 showing some tertiary, caramelized characters - both were excellent!

At the conclusion of the tour, we headed to the underground cellar room to enjoy an Icewine-inspired Brunch Buffet. Each item in the buffet was made with Icewine and offered a wide variety of options for all tastes. While I didn't try everything, I did enjoy everything that was on my plate, which included delicious portions of chicken, salmon, penne pasta, and cheese. The desserts were also tasty.

Co-founded in 1975 by Donald Ziraldo and Karl Kaiser, Inniskillin is Canada's first estate winery. Situated in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Inniskillin is internationally renowned for its wines, especially Icewine, and played a pioneering role in establishing the Canadian wine industry. In 1984, Inniskillin had its first successful Icewine harvest of naturally frozen Vidal grapes, and in 1991, the 1989 Inniskillin Vidal Icewine was brought into the international limelight when it won the Grand Prix d'Honneur at Vin Expo in France. In 1999, Riedel Glassware and Inniskillin collaborated to create the ultimate Icewine glass - a shape that was perfected to guide the wine to parts of your palate that best interpret the nuanced flavours of Icewine. Today, Inniskillin Icewines are among the best and are enjoyed both locally and internationally.

Nicholas Gizuk joined Inniskillin in 2013, and it was clear right from the start that he was a perfect fit for the iconic winery. Nicholas was trained under the guidance of renowned Winemaker Bruce Nicholson from 2013 to 2021, and was promoted to Assistant Winemaker in 2017. Four years later, Nicholas Gizuk was promoted to Estate Winemaker at Inniskillin in Niagara. Nicholas' philosophy is about making varietally true wines, while also allowing the soil and sense of place to also be expressed in each wine, with as little intervention as possible.

Chilled to Perfection: Inniskillin Icewine Harvest and Brunch tentative event schedule on January 27th:

• 7:00 am - Welcome with Icewine Hot Chocolate
• 7:45 am - Join Inniskillin Winemaker Nicholas Gizuk as he guides you through an Icewine harvest
• 8:15 am - Finish harvest, take a guided tour with Nicholas explaining the Icewine production process
• 9:00 am - Mimosas in the cellar
• 9:30 am - Icewine-inspired Brunch Buffet
• 11:00 am - Departure

Only a limited number of tickets are available for this exclusive event and the cost is $65+HST & Gratuity per guest, or $55+HST & Gratuity for Wine Club Members.

Get your tickets to Chilled to Perfection: Inniskillin Icewine Harvest and Brunch today!

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Fogolar Hughes Vineyard Riesling 2019 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely Riesling that I purchased in December of last year. It was a brand-new arrival in the December 17, 2022 LCBO VINTAGES Release and was slated to be opened during the holidays last year, but it never happened, so here we are a year later.

Surprisingly, there are still about 30 bottles available at the LCBO, while the latest vintage can be ordered via Collab Wine & Beverage.

Tasting Note:

FOGOLAR HUGHES VINEYARD RIESLING 2019 - VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#30664) (M) - $19.95
Screw cap. The fragrant nose offers attractive honeyed and floral characters nuanced with lemon/lime citrus and petrol aromas. It has good weight on the medium+-full bodied, concentrated palate, with lovely honey, floral, lemon/lime citrus, and petrol replays joined by peach, apple, and leesy mineral flavours. It's medium-dry in sweetness, with a crunchy mouthfeel and well-balanced acidity, while tapering to a dry-ish, lightly chalky textured finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

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September 9, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Ontario

Here's my top wine picks from the September 9, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. As per usual, the first release of September coincides with harvest here in Ontario and, as such, the theme of this release focuses on wines from Ontario. It is a fairly sized release with 132 wines and more than 30 of which fall into the "Online and Flagship Exclusive" category. All of the wines should be in stores by this Saturday.

We begin with the theme, which features the brilliant wines from Ontario. There are 20 wines from 20 different wineries in the theme, and includes a mini-profile of each winery in the printed catalogue. There are many nice wines among the 20, with a few recommended previously, so I have elected to include just three wines among my top wine picks this time around - a pair of delicious Niagara Riesling wines, with the one from Vineland Estates the sweeter of the two, and the Late Harvest Vidal dessert wine which is very sweet for a Late Harvest wine.

Among my red wine picks, dominating the list is Italy with 6 recommendations. We start in Piedmont with a pair of Barolo wines which are, of course, made with the noble Nebbiolo grape varietal. The next three wines are all Chianti Classico wines from Tuscany - the Castello di Bossi, which is the Wine of the Month, is made with 100% Sangiovese, while the Volpaia is 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot, and the organic Trasqua is mainly Sangiovese with about 10% each Merlot and Cabernet completing the blend. The last wine from Italy is from the volcanic soils of Mount Etna in Sicily and it is composed of Nerello Cappuccio and Nerello Mascalese. Red wines from France include a Bordeaux blend of 75% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Petit Verdot, while the Languedoc red is composed of 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache, and the Crozes-Hermitage is straight Syrah.

All of my white wine picks from the main release are single varietal wines. For Sauvignon Blanc fans, there is a Sancerre from Loire, as well as a pair of Sauv Blanc wines from Marlborough. For Chardonnay wine lovers, there is a fine Chablis Premier Cru from Burgundy. Other fine wines include a pair of Grüner Veltliner wines from Austria, and an Assyrtiko from Santorini. If you like some sweetness in your wines, try the latest vintage of a lovely Riesling from Mosel.

The only bubbles among my recommendations is a vintage Crémant from Loire that is a blend of 60% Chenin, 20% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Noir, and 5% Cabernet Franc.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• CHÂTEAU DE TRÉVIAC CORBIÈRES 2020 - AP, Languedoc, France (#670505) (XD) - $17.95  90 pts  wine review
• VILLA TRASQUA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#121160) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• BYRON & HAROLD ROSE & THORNS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Great Southern, Western Australia (#30891) (XD) - $21.95
• CASTELLO DI BOSSI C. BERARDENGA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#994608) (XD) - $22.95  90 pts  wine review
• TORNATORE ETNA ROSSO 2019 - DOC, Sicily, Italy (#487090) (XD) - $25.95
• CAVE DE TAIN HÉRITIERS GAMBERT NOBLES RIVES CROZES-HERMITAGE 2021 - AP, Rhône, France (#572230) (XD) - $33.95
• VOLPAIA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#953828) (XD) - $36.95
• MICHELE CHIARLO TORTONIANO BAROLO 2018 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#586388) (XD) - $49.95  92+ pts  wine review
• AURELIO SETTIMO BAROLO 2017 - Sustainable, DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#291559) (XD) - $57.95  93 pts  wine review
• CHÂTEAU BRANAS GRAND POUJEAUX 2019 - AC Moulis-en-Médoc, Bordeaux, France (#34383) (XD) - $65.95  FE

White Wine:

• HÃHÃ SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#388363) (XD) - $18.95  90 pts  wine review
• LITORALE VAL DELLE ROSE VERMENTINO 2022 - DOC Maremma Toscana, Italy (#17703) (XD) - $18.95
• ATTEMS PINOT GRIGIO 2022 - DOC Friuli, Italy (#707950) (XD) - $19.95
• LEINDL GV GRÜNER VELTLINER 2021 - Niederösterreich, Austria (#30599) (XD) - $19.95  FE
• 13TH STREET JUNE'S VINEYARD RIESLING 2021 - Sustainable, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#147512) (D) - $21.95
• VINELAND ESTATES ELEVATION ST. URBAN VINEYARD RIESLING 2021 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#38117) (M) - $22.95  90 pts  wine review
  
• PAULY GENERATIONS RIESLING 2021 - Qualitätswein, Mosel, Germany (#21033) (M) - $25.95  FE  90 pts  wine review
• STADT KREMS RIED WEINZIERLBERG 1ÖTW GRÜNER VELTLINER 2021 - DAC Kremstal, Austria (#33783) (XD) - $28.95
• SAINT CLAIR WAIRAU RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#415653) (XD) - $32.95  FE
• JEAN-MAX ROGER CUVÉE LES CAILLOTTES SANCERRE 2021 - AC, Loire, France (#65573) (XD) - $36.95  93 pts  wine review
• DOMAINE HAMELIN BEAUROY CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2021 - AC, Burgundy, France (#391805) (XD) - $45.95  FE  94 pts  wine review
• VASSALTIS SANTORINI ASSYRTIKO 2022 - PDO, Greece (#33859) (XD) - $70.95  FE

Sparkling Wine:

• HENKELL BRUT CRÉMANT DE LOIRE 2016 - Traditional method, AP, Loire, France (#29893) (D) - $21.95  88+ pts  wine review
  

Dessert Wine:

• HENRY OF PELHAM SPECIAL SELECT LATE HARVEST VIDAL 2019 - Sustainable, VQA Ontario, Canada (#395228) (S) (375 mL) - $19.95

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Hidden Bench Béton Sauvignon Blanc 2021 (Niagara) - Wine Review

After enjoying the lovely 2022 Hidden Bench Locust Lane Rosé last month, tonight's white wine review is another lovely organic wine from the same producer. In fact, this is the first vintage for this wine and also brand new to the LCBO, arriving in-stores and online as part of the recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on August 5.

Hidden Bench Estate Winery is one of Niagara's leading boutique wineries. It was founded in 2003 by Harald Thiel and family in Beamsville Bench when they acquired the Locust Lane vineyard. A year later, Hidden Bench purchased the Rosomel Vineyard, where this white wine was grown. Today, the focus at Hidden Bench is on artisanal, terroir-focused, and premium wines using grapes from their own, organic, estate vineyards. Their philosophy is based on a non-interventionist, quality-focused, and terroir-driven approach. Hidden Bench has a long, well-established reputation for excellence both domestically and internationally, and their wines have earned numerous accolades over the years, and much of their success can be attributed to their location within the VQA Beamsville Bench sub-appellation in Niagara.

This 100% Sauvignon Blanc was organically certified and estate grown at their Rosomel Vineyard on the Beamsville Bench. The Rosomel Vineyard is set on a broad terrace where the escarpment forms a double bench. The vineyard gently slopes northward towards the lake, with the edge of the vineyard bordered by wooded thickets on three sides, while the Bruce Trail runs along the upper bench, directly behind the vineyard. Because the vineyard is positioned between two benches, it is protected from harsher winds, while the gentle slopes and its proximity to the lake ensures that air circulates throughout the vineyard, and helps prevent frost or Botrytis.

In 2021, because of the wet growing season, they exposed the bunches at fruit-set to sunlight by removing leaves on the east side of the canopy, which also opened up air flow from the west side. A green harvest was done at the start of véraison, and they left only the healthiest bunches on the vine in order to promote ripeness, concentration of flavours, and the expression of terroir. The grapes were harvested and sorted by hand, then gently whole bunch pressed. The wine is named "Béton", which translates to "Concrete", because it was naturally fermented with indigenous yeasts in concrete tanks and remained in concrete for 7 months to age on its lees, until bottling.

The growing season in 2021 started with a mild and relatively dry winter which protected the buds. Spring was warm, leading to an earlier than average budbreak and was coupled with an excellent vegetative growth phase through May and June which resulted in early and complete flowering towards the Summer Solstice. The fruit set was excellent, while the crop size was larger than average and was supported by ample moisture and heat during July and August. Anticipating an excellent (and large) vintage, leaf removal to open the canopy, as well as fruit thinning and balancing throughout the summer to the end of August kept the winegrowing team busy. Rainfall during harvest presented challenges, but overall they were pleased with the quality of the fruit. The 2021 growing season will be remembered as a winegrower's vintage, where a nimble approach and attention to detail from vineyard to bottle helped produce very good, early varietal wines. Let's see how this 2021 Sauvignon Blanc from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

HIDDEN BENCH BÉTON SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 - Rosomel Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#33552) (XD) - $27.95
Fermented and aged in concrete tanks. Enclosed by screw cap. This lovely, organic Sauvignon Blanc has a fragrant nose that leads with intriguing flinty minerality aromas, followed by ripe lemon citrus and pear, plus some ripe tropical fruit, thyme, herbs, and grass notes that add complexity. It is impressively weighted on the medium-full bodied, nicely textured palate with lovely, dry flavours of ripe lemon citrus, pear, grapefruit, and flinty mineral, with touches of white peach and cucumber. Fresh acidity is juicy and succulent. It's somewhat spicy on the mid-palate, while citrus and mineral notes linger on the long, textured finish. Different, intriguing, and a highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

Other fantastic wines from Hidden Bench are available through the LCBO, their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits, or direct from the winery in Niagara.

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